26.03.2024

"Bringing Community Into Everyday Life"

Rev. Marion Greve, Superintendent of the Church District Essen, Rev. Marie-Anne Halim, Head of UEM Germany Departement, Deacon Claudio Gnypek (from right). Photo by: Martina Pauly, UEM

"I am happy to be part of the international UEM family. Because I want to bring this community, which is lived across borders, into the everyday life of the congregations and church districts. The future of our churches is not a return to the local, but openness to the world": Deacon Claudio Gnypek was inducted into his ministry with a festive worship service in the Protestant St Stephen's Church in Essen-Überruhr, Germany.

The theme of the service was "United in longing for peace". Partner congregations from Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Brazil, Indonesia and the Czech Republic contributed prayers to the service.

Gnypek is responsible for the Western Ruhr region in the UEM's Regional Service. This consists of the church districts of At The Ruhr, Duisburg, Essen and Oberhausen. There he supports congregations, church districts and groups in making the international connections of the UEM Communion a reality on the ground. He arranges international contacts and promotes transcultural co-operation, especially in church partnerships.

Angelika Veddeler, Team Leader of the Regional Service, is pleased about the increase in expertise in the team: "With Claudio Gnypek, the Regional Service team is now multi-professional, consisting of pastors, an educator and a deacon. This broader range of professions will be good for our work!"